Up Early For Breakfast,

which was included with the price of the room,

 

 and we were on our way,

 to Chai Chet beach where we had spent so many happy days before,

 hand on hat to keep it flying away,

 everyone all smiles,

 but then disaster stuck, the sign of the restaurant where we had spent so many happy days was gone,

 as was the restaurant, just a wreck was left,

 what to do? there were so many small bars and restaurants here just 6 months ago,

 but now all we saw were signs like this, all of the small bars and restaurants have been cleared away

the signs displayed outside every area,

 I did call into this establishment, I asked if we bought a meal for the 8 of us and some drinks could we stay and use their deckchairs? I was told NO and shown a sign in Thai and English that all facilities were for hotel guests only, 

 so basically if you go to Chai Chet beach you must bring your own deckchairs, tables,

 umbrellas,

 and food and drink plus of course toilet facilitates, welcome to Chai Chet on Koh Chang!

 it seems a shame,

 that some chains of hotels have basically,

 it appears allegedly to have removed local opposition to them and made what was once a public beach into their own private beach where you have to stay at their hotel or are not welcome, please do not get me wrong on this one, it is still a public beach, but bring your own deckchairs, tables, umbrellas, food and drink plus of course toilet facilitates with you if you wish to spend the day, or like us several days here,

 but all was not lost, we knew where we would be welcome, the Sea Bar, where we had dinned last night, so back in the taxi we went,

 we soon settled down, 

 and ordered a few drinks,

 it seemed so different from last night when it was all dark,

 one of the reasons that we went to Chai Chet beach,

 was that it was so quiet, but here at White Sands we almost had the beach to ourselves, 

 so headphones on and chill out,

 Daisy May just loved the beach,

  but Dioshane had been here before,

 one of the many beach vendors walked past,

 it was a shame about Chai Chet,

 but it was so nice here,

 and considering it was Songkran,

 the beach was almost deserted,

 everyone ordered a few slushies,

coconut seemed to be the favourite,

 then I found a slight flaw in our quiet day on the beach, I could not have been nearer to this giant speaker if I tried! so much for a quiet day, just my luck that after ordering some food they turned the music on and up,

 but all was not lost,

 just as the music, if you call it that started, a table became free a few meters away,

 so we moved,

 one of the many beach vendors walked by, the good thing here unlike some other beaches is that you are not bothered by them, they have to be called over,

 piece and quiet at last,

 but before the food arrived a swim,

 for,

 Lyn,

 and daughter,

 Daisy May,

 then back for lunch,

 as another beach seller walked past,

 perhaps a sale this time?

 then the first dishes of our lunch arrived as well a chips and seafood fried rice we had ordered tempura prawns,

 and onion rings,

 chicken,

 and garlic prawns,

 and I do mean with garlic,

this is about the right amount of garlic for me,

 then the big dish,

 a  huge fish,

 kept warm by some glowing charcoal underneath it it, 

 so it was eyes down and tuck in,

 then time for a swim,

 the beach was almost all ours,

 so in they went,

 lots of splashes,

 and fun for all,

 and even Dad went in for a dip,

 as did Sandio as Diana took a selfie,

 

 it was all so much fun,

 and tomorrow is going to be even better,

 but I am getting ahead of myself,

 back to today Diana had the underwater camera with her,

 so no worries about dropping it in the sea,

 Daisy May was having such a great time, it was the first time she had ever been in the ocean,

 another selfie from Diana with Lyn, 

 whilst swimming,

 the girls noticed this fish, I think it was a puffer but I could not be sure,

 Sandio having a great time,

  as was Mum and Dad,

 next time for sandcastles,

 looking at Daisy May reminded me so much,

 of the pleasures I had making sandcastles as a kid,

 some 60 years ago on the beach at Westgate where we used to spend a summer holiday or two,

a very happy Lyn,


 we then made our way back to Paddy's Palms,

 opposite the Top Resort,

where Daisy May and her Mum said Hi, 

as did we,

then our food arrived,

nachos,

French fries,

a glass of wine,

 and for myself a beef stew,

then the games,

which were great fun, I lost as Sandio beat me 8-2, 

then lots of laughs as he did so, a quick pose by Daisy May

and then were off to bed.